Race-starting system



April 1961 o. v. RILEY 2,978,692

RACE-STARTING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 1, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 04/1 64? 14 9154 BY 4M3 arroe/va a April 4, 1961 o. v. RILEY 2,978,692

RACE-STARTING SYSTEM Filed Dec. 1, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 \\M@ Q, UHJ MwW 3% MW R. mu E I LL g m II. .4. c I @w a 7 @mi m 9 Q p. m 3 bwxuq 7 w V a \VQQMQ mw RACE-STARTING SYSTEM Oliver V. Riley, 2712 North Park, La Verne, Calif.

Filed Dec. 1, 1958, Ser. No. 777,522 7 Claims. (Cl. 340-323) This invention relates to race-starting apparatus and, more particularly, to an improved electrical race-starting system.

In an athletic contest such as the running of a race, it is desirable to assure a fair start and eliminate the human error of judgment in firing the race-starting gun at the proper time with all runners on their marks.

An object of this invention is to provide an arrangement whereby an indication is provided when all runners are on their marks, so that the race may be fairly started.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an arrangement for providing an alarm when the runner starts prior to the time he should, which in the usual race-starting arrangement, may normally go undetected.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of an arrangement for indicating which runner has started first.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of an arrangement for indicating which runner has started before the starting gun has been fired.

Yet another object of the present invention is an arrangement for preventing the firing of a race-start gun until all the runners are properly on their marks.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of a novel and useful race-starting apparatus.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in an arrangement whereby each runner is provided with a pressure switch positioned on the ground which can be actuated only by him when in the crouched on-mark position. The operation of such a switch actuates an indicator for each racer which will then be able to move from an inoperative position through an intermediate position and then finally to a start position. However, theindicator will not reach this start position until all the runners in the race have assumed their onmark positions and have actuated the pressure switch present there. Thus, the judge can see the indicators are not in the start position and the race cannot start. Means are provided for actuating a race-start indicator such as a gun, if all the pressure switches are actuated and the indicators are all in their race-start position. Otherwise, any attempt to actuate the race-start indicator is not successful, and, instead, an alarm such as a bell or horn is operated, indicative of the fact that one of the racers has moved from the start position before the gun has gone ofi.

In accordance with this invention, the construction of the apparatus is such that the runner who moves from the start position first will actuate the associated indicator to the inoperative position. The other indicators will either remain in the race-start position while the runners still maintain this position or they will move to the intermediate position and stay there until the apparatus is'reset.

The'novel features that are considered characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the 2,978,692 Patented Apr. 4, 1951 appended claims. The invention itself, both as to its organization and method of operation, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an'isometric view of the appearance of the controls and indicator which comprise this invention;

Figures 2, 3, and 4 are cross-sectional views of the position of an indicator respectively in the inoperative position, the intermediate position, and the race-start position for a single lane; and

Figure 5 is a circuit diagram of this invention.

The entire apparatus comprising. an embodiment of this invention is portable and can be carried in a suitcase. The control and display arrangement are shown in Figure 1. A power switch 8 provides a power-off position and two power-on positions. One of these provides power from a battery and the other can provide direct current by rectifying alternating current from an external source. A plurality of pressure switches 10, one for each runner in a race, are connected through a plug 12 into the apparatus enclosed in the portable carrying case 14. Each pressure switch 10 is positioned on a track at the location which each runner will take at the beginning of a race. The runner is required, when assuming his crouching position for starting, to actuate the pressure switch with his thumb. This switch is placed on the ground adjacent the usual starting blocks. The switch will stay closed as long as this thumb is in contact therewith. As soon as the runner starts running, the switch opens.

The starting gun, as shown in more detail in Figure 5,

is solenoid-operated from the control apparatus shownin Figure 1. The gun solenoid is connected to the control apparatus by means of leads and a plug 16. To enable operation of this invention, switch 8 is actuated to one or the other of the power-applying positions. A three-position switch 18 is placed in the ready position whenrunners are preparing themselves for starting. When the runners have all taken the proper positions, as shown by the positions of indicating buttons 22, the switch 18 is advanced to the get-set position. Thereafter, a pushbutton 20 may be actuated to fire the gun if the runners have assumed and maintained the proper starting position and all the pressure switches 10 are actuated. At any time after switch 18 is moved to the get-set position, in the event that one of the runners has left the starting position before the gun is fired, an alarm, not shown in this figure, is sounded.

An indicating button 22 is assigned to each track lane or is associated with each runner. This button may have one of three positions. One of these is a fully down, below-the-panel position which occurs when a runner has actuated his pressure switch and is in a ready position. Another is a fully up position. When all runners are in a ready position and switch 18 is in the get-set position, and before the gun is fired, if any of the runners has fouled or started prematurely, the button associated with the runner moves to the fully up position. A horn also sounds at this time. After the gun has been fired, the indicating button associated with the first runner away from the starting position assumes the fully up position.

An intermediate position is taken by the indicating butthe pressure switch has not been actuated (before the runners assume their starting position). This position of the button is also assumed to indicate the first runner awayv after the starting'gun is fired, or the first runner to foul when-switch 18is in' the get-set position and the starting gun has not. yetfired'; The-positio'n'of the indi cator button 22, shown in Figure 3, which is slightly below the panel 24, is caused by either arunner'leaving the starting position after the starting gun is tired and after the first runner has, left, or before the starting gun is fired and after another runner has fouled It-should'be noted that each one of the indicatingbuttons 22 bears the number associating it. with one of the lanes with which its associated pressure switch is located.

Figure 4'illustrates the position of'the indicatorbutt'on 22 below the panel 24-, which the button assumes when all the runners have properly assumed their starting position; The positions illustratedin Figures 2, 3, and 4, respectively, are identified as the inoperative position, the intermediate position, and the race-start position.

In the event that the number of runners does not correspond to the number of lanes, for which provision is made by the apparatus shown in Figure 1, then a bypass switch 28, one of which is provided for each lane, must be actuated. In the embodiment of the invention which was constructed, provision was made for ten lanes. Actuation of the bypass switch 28 causes the corresponding indicator button to be urged toward the race-start position shown in Figure 4".

Figure 5 comprises thecircuit diagram of the embodiment of. the invention. As previously recited, there is a pressure switch a, 10b 10 10k, for each runner in a race. Each pressure switch has connected across it in shunt fashion a bypass switch 28a, 28b 28 28k. it will be recalled that when a lane is not being used in a race, the associated bypass switchZS is operated;

The powcrswitch 8 is first actuated to either contacts 8A to provide power from batteries 19 or to contacts SE to connect an alternating current source 13 to a rectiher power supply 15, and thence to the apparatus. A power-on indicator light 83 is energized. Switch 18' is then connected to the ready position. Switch 18 is ofthe type known as make before-break." When any one of the switches 16a through 1010 is operated by a runner assuming the starting position, current flows. through the actuated switch to the solenoids of associated relays a, 40b" 40 40k to ground. It will be appreciated that the closure of any one of the associated bypass switches 28a through 28k, which parallel switches 10a through 16%, causes the same operations for the associated apparatus as the closure of the associated pressure switch ltia through 10k; Each of'the relays 40a through 40k has associated'therewith a pair ofnorrnally open contacts 48 through 40k andv a' lane lever 42ai through 42k Each lane lever is. pivotally supported at pivot points 44a through 44k in a manner so'that when the solenoid of the associated relay is energized the associated" contacts 49m through 4M are. closed. Each lane lever carries an associated indicator button 22x4 through 22k Contacts 4011 through 401g are connected in series. One other: contacts ttia is connected to contact terminals 18C and 18B of switch 18. One of the contacts 40k is connected to a contact 46 of a locking relay 46 having a normally open contact pair 46 46 The locking relay 46 actually has. a pair of parallel connected solenoids 46a and 46b. One of the sides. of these sole,- noids are connected to ground; the other of the sides of these solenoids are connected to terminal 18A of switch 18 and also to one contact'46 ofa normally open contact pair 46 46 for relay 46. When switch 18 is in the ready position, the solenoids 46a, 46b of the locking relay are energized, drawing a locking bar .48 back so that its; Leshaped end 50 doesnot? interfere with" motion ofthe lane levers Witt-through 42kt 'Ihe"lock-ing' bar is mounted to pivot about. pivot'points 52. The length. of

the locking bar is suflicient to span all the lane levers. The locking relay 46 and lane relays 42 are mounted so that when the locking relay is inoperative, the lane lever motion is blocked, and when the locking relay is oper ated the lane levers can be pivoted. Figure 2 shows the relative lane lever and locking bar position when relay 46 is inoperative. Figure 4 shows the relative positions assumed with an operative lane relay and locking relay.

From the above description, it should be appreciated that when the three-position switch 18 is in the ready position, locking relay 46 is operated, clearing the locking bar 46'out' ofthe path of the lane levers. The switch 18 is operated to the get-set position when the indicator buttons 22 show that all the runners have actuated their pressure switches. A latching circuit to maintain relay 46 operated .is completed from battery to terminal 18A through the series of contacts 4011 through 40k and through now-closed contacts 46 and 46 Relay 46 alsohas asingle-pole, double-throw contact arrangement wherein the single pole 46 is normally closed to contact- 46 and is normally open to contact 46 A relay 54- has a normallyopen contact pair 54 54 and a single-pole, double-throw set of contacts 54 54 and 545. Contact 46 is connected to contact 54 Contact 46 is connected to contact 54 A lamp 56 is connected between ground and contact 54 and when lighted represents agood start. Contact 46 receives power when switch 18 is in the get-set position from terminal 183. Contact 46 is connected to a time-delay relay '58; The normally open contact pair 58 of the time-delay relay connect contact 46 when time-delay relay 58 finally operates, to terminals 60 60 of a firing button 60$ When the button is operated, terminal 60 is connected to terminal 60 which in turn' is connected to a solenoid 62 which can fire the gun 64. Terminal 60 at this time is connected to a terminal 60 which in turn is connected to the solenoid of relay 54.

When relay 46 is actuated and when the three-position switch 18 is in the get-set position, then power is applied over contacts 46 and 46 -to energize time-delay relay 58. The firing button 60 will not fire the gun until the time-delay relay operates, whereby power is applied to the gun solenoid 62. Should any one of the pressure-operated switches 10a through 10k not be closed when switch 18 is advanced to the get-set position or be opened thereafter and before the gun is fired, then a horn 66, indicative of a foul, will be heard and the gun 52 cannot be discharged. The horn is connected through normally closed' c'ontacts 84 of a horn off relay to contact 54 A foul. light is connected between ground and contact 54 4 To cornmence'the'operation of this invention, switch 1-8 is moved to ready and the power switch 8 is closed,, energizing locking relay 46, whereby its locking bar is moved from the position shown in FigureZ to that shown in Figure 4. Next, thepressure switches 10 in each lane are operated by the runners, and the indicator buttons 22 should all assumethe' position shown in Figure 4.

Atthis' time, switch 18 maybe moved to the get-set position. If all the pressure-actuated switches 10a through" 10k for the lanes on which runners are in position are actuated, and the switches 28a through 28k for the lanes on which there are no runners are operated, then all the relays 40a through 40k are operated. This closes a series circuit through contacts 400 through 40k for holding: relay 46 operated; At this time, the'lane levers are in the. race-start-position and the starter can readily see this by the positionof the indicator buttons 22. How ever, unless all the runners are in position, when switch 18- is: moved to the ready position,,relay 46 will be released because of the non-closure of one or more of the series of;contactsAOa through Mic and foul horn 66 will automaticallysound because oi the resulting closure of contacts 46 and 46 Further, the resultant opening of contacts 46 and 46 12 prevents the re-energization of the solenoids 46a, 46b of relay 46 until switch 18 is restored to the ready position. The button of any racer who has released his pressure switch will be in the inoperative position. To enable locking relay 46 to be operated again, switch 18 must be moved back to the ready position. Again, when all the runners operate all of the pressure switches, the fact that all the indicator buttons 22 are below the panel 24 provides an indication that all of the runners are in position for the start of the race. The starter then moves switch 18 to the get-set" position and then operates the firing button 60. If up until the time that the gun is fired the runners are still maintaining their start positions, then the gum 64 can be discharged after a time-delay set by the relay 58. Relay 54 is energized also by the firing button 60 and light 56 is illuminated, indicating a good start.

The relay 40 of the first runner to leave the starting position will be rendered inoperative, and the lane lever 42, due to its own spring tension, will return to the inoperative position, carrying with it the button 22 to the inoperative position. Once the first of the relays 40 are rendered inoperative, the circuit to the relay 46 is broken. Thereby, the locking-bar member 50 can return to the position shown in Figure 3. The first relay 40 to become inoperative returns its lane lever member 42 to the inoperative position more rapidly than the locking relay 46 which becomes inoperative next can return locking member 50 to the inoperative position. This occurs by virtue of the fact that a relay 40 directly becomes inoperative as soon as the button is released, whereas the relay 46 must first wait for one of the relays 40 to become inoperative before it, itself, can become inoperative with termination of current fiow through its coil. As a result, the indicator button for the first runner to leave the starting position (or runners, if more than one leaves together) will assume the inoperative position. Locking member and lane lever appear as in Figure 2. However, the indicator buttons of the remaining runners will remain in the intermediate position held by the locking member in the manner shown in Figure 3 of the drawings. Thereby, the race-track starter knowns which one of the runners leaves the start position first at the firing of the gun. Relay 54 is maintained operated when a good start is made over a circuit from terminal 18B through contacts 54 and 54 which are closed when relay 54 is operated by the firing button 60.

In the event a runner leaves the starting position before the starting gun is fired, a similar situation to the one occurring when a good start is made occurs as far as the lane lever and locking bar relations are concerned. The starter can see who the faulting runner is, since the lane lever member 42 for the faulting runner will be moved so that the indicator button 22 is in the inoperative position, whereas all the other nonfaulting runners who have subsequently left their starting position will have their associated indicator buttons in the position shown in Figure 3. Since in addition the locking relay 46 becomes denergized, contacts 46 and 46 are closed, enabling power to be applied through contacts 54 and 54 to the foul light 70 and the foul horn 66. The horn will sound the alarm until switch 18 is moved to the hornoff position. This applies power to operate relay 84 over contact 18C of switch 18 to the relay solenoid. This opens contacts 84 breaking the current path to the horn. Switch 18 may then be returned to the ready position to reset the apparatus for another start.

Accordingly, there has been shown and described herein a novel, useful arrangement for determining that all the runners in a race start fairly by indicating when they are in an equal race-starting position and, further, not permitting the race to be started until they are in such equal race-start position.

I claim:

1. A starting system for racers comprising a switch for each racer operated when a racer is in starting position, an indicator for each racer, each said indicator having an inoperative position and a. start position, means responsive to one of said switches being operated to move an associated indicator from an inoperative position to a start position, a race-start indicator, an alarm, switch means for operating said race-start indicator responsive to all said switches being operated and for operating said alarm responsive to less than all said switches being operated, and locking means operative responsive to one of said switches being released to prevent the remaining indicators from returning to said inoperative position.

2. A starting system for racers comprising a switch for each racer operated when a racer is in starting position, a position indicator for each racer, each said position indicator having an inoperative position, an intermediate position and a start position, relay means responsive to a switch being operated to move an associated position indicator from an inoperative position through an intermediate position to a start position, a locking relay including a locking member, means for positioning said locking member in the path of all said position indicators to hold said position indicators at said intermediate position when said locking relay is inoperative and for moving said locking member out of the path of said position indicators when said locking relay is operated, means for operating said locking relay, latching means for maintaining said locking relay operative responsive to all said switches being operated, a race-start indicator, an alarm, switch means for operating said race-start indicator responsive to said locking relay being maintained operated by said latching means, and means for operating said alarm responsive to said locking relay being rendered inoperative by an opening of one of said switches.

3. A starting system for racers as recited in claim 2 wherein said position indicator includes a relay having a movable relay armature, a' pivotably supported member, means for coupling said pivotably supported memher to said movable relay armature to be pivoted thereby when said relay is excited.

4. A starting system for racers comprising a switch for each racer operated when a racer is in a starting position, a position-indicating relay for each racer, means connecting each position-indicating relay to an associated switch to be operated responsive to the operation of the switch, each said position-indicating relay having a movable armature, and a position-indicating member, means for coupling each said position-indicating memher to its movable armature to be movable therewith when said position-indicating relay is excited from an inoperative position through an intermediate position to a start position, a holding relay including a holding member, and means for positioning said holding member in the'path of all said position-indicating members to prevent said position-indicating members from passing said intermediate position when said holding relay is inoperative, means for energizing said holding relay, means for maintaining said holding relay energized responsive to the operation of all said first relays, a race start indicator, an alarm, starting-switch means coupled to said race-start indicator and to said alarm, relay means for energizing said race-start'means when said starting switch is operated responsive to said holding relay being maintained energized by said means for maintaining, and means for energizing said alarm when said holding relay is de-energized responsive to one of said switches being opened.

5. A starting system for racers comprising a switch for each racer which is operated when a racer is in a starting position, a position-indicating relay for each racer, means connecting each position-indicating relay to an associated switch to be operated. responsive to-the operation of the switch, each said position-indicating relay having a movable armature, and a position-indieating member, means for coupling each said positionindicating member to its movable armature to be movable therewith when said position-indicating relay iseX- cited from an inoperative position through an intermediate position to a start position, each said positionindicating relays also having a pair of normally open contacts, means connecting all said normally open contacts in series, a locking relay, said locking relay including a locking member and means for positioning said locking member in the path of all said position-indicating members to prevent said position-indicating members from passing. said intermediate position when saidlocking relay is inoperative, a source of operating potential, ready switch means for connecting said locking. relay to said source of potential When operated, means operative after said locking relay has been operated for coupling said series connected contacts between said source of operating potential and said locking relay for maintaining said locking relay operated when all of said contacts are closed despite said ready switch means being rendered inoperative, a race-start indicator, an alarm, a starting switch means connected tov said race start indicator and to said alarm, means for applying. operating potential to said race-start indicator through said starting switch means responsive to said locking relay being operated, and means to apply said operating potential to said alarm responsive to said locking relay being returnedto an inoperative condition by an opening of one ofsaid' switches;

6. A'startingsystem as recited in claim Siwherein said means for applying operating potential to said race-start indicator through said starting switch. means responsive to said race-start indicator being operated includes a time-delay relay means for energizing said time-delay relay responsive to said locking relay being energized, said time-delay relay having a pair of normally open contacts and means connecting said normally open contacts between said locking relay and said starting switch.

7. A starting. system as recited in claim 5 wherein said means for applying operating potential to said alarm responsive to said locking relay being rendered inoperative includes-a good start relay having a pair of normallyclosed'contacts, one of which is-connected to said alarm,-apair of'normally closed contacts associated with said locking relay and operated therewith, a source of operating. potential connected to one of said locking relay contacts and to said alarm, means connecting the 'otherof said locking relay contacts to said other o-f'said good start relay contacts, and means connecting said good start relay to said starting switch means to be energized therethrough responsive to said locking relay being energized.

References Cited. in the file of this-patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

